Mallard (Wild Duck)

The Mallard is the quintessential dabbling duck, known for the adult male's striking glossy green head, yellow bill, and brown chest. Females are mottled brown for camouflage. They are highly adaptable, vocal, and form the ancestry of most domestic duck breeds.

Rich grayish-brown base with striking structural iridescence displaying metallic green and bronze hues along the outer vane margin, featuring a pale cream-colored rachis

Pennaceous at the distal end with tightly interlocked barbicels, transitioning to a semiplume or plumulaceous (fluffy) structure near the base with a small afterfeather

Smooth, glossy, and water-repellent surface due to preen oil application, with a firm, stiff vane and soft, downy base

Distinctive structural green-to-bronze iridescence along one edge, rounded contour shape, robust pale rachis, and water-repellent texture

Wetlands, marshes, rivers, lakes, ponds, agricultural fields, and urban parks with open water

Widespread across temperate and subtropical Americas, Eurasia, and North Africa; highly adaptable and largely resident or migratory depending on latitude

Acts as an important seed disperser, aquatic invertebrate predator, and prey species for large raptors and mammals

Other dabbling ducks such as American Black Duck or Northern Pintail, distinguished by the specific iridescent speculum or mantle feather markings

Mallards are the ancestors of nearly all domestic duck breeds (except the Muscovy). They possess a specialized gland (uropygial gland) that produces oil to waterproof their feathers.

Good condition, clean, intact barbs with no visible fault bars or parasitic damage, displaying fresh structural coloration